From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

Surprised at how easily Roman agreed to Joan’s request, Trevor’s lips parted. He watched the latter walk away before turning to look at Daniel, who looked to be in the same dilemma.

“You should go after him. He may have forgotten.” Daniel said to Trevor and as if suddenly woken up from his slumber, Trevor followed Roman out.

Grace, who didn’t understand what the men were on about, simply watched Trevor leave before setting her gaze on Daniel. She couldn’t help noticing his handsome features, which she had been too agitated to notice earlier. It seemed all the people surrounding Roman were specially carved by the creator.

Daniel flashed her a smile, and she didn’t hesitate to return it. “Please tell Madam not to worry too much. Her mother will be found.” He said, hoping to ease the tension and break the silence. He would have gone with Trevor, but he knew that Roman would not want him to be involved in anything happening that night.

“Thank you, Grace responded, appreciative of his kind words.

Meanwhile, outside the house, Trevor walked up to Roman, a hesitant look on his face.

“Boss, are you really going to take out tonight?” he asked, looking worriedly at Roman, who was leaning against the car.

“Yes.” Roman simply answered, having a faraway look in his eyes.

“Tonight is the widows’ night.” Trevor said, thinking that Roman may have forgotten, even though he doubted it. Roman never forget events, especially one as important as this.

“I know.” Roman responded, confirming that he didn’t forget. However, his response only confused Trevor the more. The widows’ night was a night of mourning. Every year on that particular night, one of the werewolves communities marked the mass killings of their entire warriors, one of the many heinous crimes Roman committed in the past. After the killings on the battlefield, the community was left with mostly women and young pups, who would have died also if Roman had not been stopped. Every year after that, they marked the widows’ night quietly. Only recently have they begun to set traps to either capture Roman or kill him. Although all their attempts ended up futile, they continued to do it.

“You know, and you still want to go ahead with It?” Trevor repeated the question.

“I have no choice, Trevor. We still have an hour before the cockroaches come out, and I have to meet Liam at Monero.”

Trevor frowned. “Monero? What happened there?”

“Joan’s attackers were witches. Take the other car, you’re coming with me. Her friend will ride with you.”

Trevor wanted to ask why, but he changed his mind and just decided to do as he was told. He went back inside to get Grace and led her to his car just moments before Joan arrived.

Roman, who saw Joan walk out of the house, opened the door of the car before she got to where he was standing. Joan got into the car and he shut the door. Only after she was inside did she realize there was no one else apart from her in the car.

“Where is my friend?” She asked when Roman climbed in.

“She’s in Trevor’s car. They will ride behind us. Buckle up,” he said, giving her no chance to ask further questions.

Joan let it go and grabbed the seat belt. Her mind was already in too much distress, so she didn’t let the issue bother her.

Roman started the car. It was a sweet, lovely, and normal ride from the garage to the gate. She was about to ask him why he was driving by himself when the ride changed from the sweet, gentle one to a very dangerous one. Roman stepped on the gas and began to accelerate at an unbelievable and alarming speed that it felt like they were flying.

“What are you doing?” Joan asked, her eyes widening in fear.

“Driving.” Roman answered without slowing down. He kept a serious expression on his face, his eyes looking in all directions, and his ears sharpened to catch even the slightest sound.

“What sort of driving is this? Do you want to get us killed?” Joan asked in an almost yelling tone, her anxiety spiking by the second.

“No one’s dying today. Going any slower than this is what will get us killed.” Roman responded and Joan didn’t know whether to worry more for her life that is at the moment hanging on a balance, or for his warped way of reasoning.

With her heart beating like she was already on her way to heaven, her hands held on to the seat for dear life. Her life had never really been sweet, but this was not how she planned to die. She wanted to live to a very old age and be surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

“Close your eyes if you are scared.” She had Roman say, and she shot him and incredulous look.

“How is that going to change anything?” She asked in annoyance.

“You won’t see how fast I’m going if you do.” Roman answered and Joan decided not to engage him anymore because she may end up going insane trying to find sense in his words.

Meanwhile, behind them, Trevor was matching Roman’s speed. Although Grace was confused as to why they were over speeding, she didn’t look as alarmed as Joan. Their car was silent as Trevor focused on the road, and she refrained from questioning him so that he wouldn’t be distracted.

In a short while, they arrived at the Elvins’ house and the two cars pulled to a stop. Joan didn’t move immediately. She took some time to appreciate the fact that she was still alive, before shooting a glare at Roman, who was smiling while staring at her. He climbed out of the car and moved to open the door for her but she opened it and stepped out before he could do it.

She hurriedly walked to the front door and pressed the bell severally, but no one answered the door.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Try calling him again.” Grace, who joined her at the front door, suggested, and Joan called her father’s phone again with no success.